Photographic print chopper



April 24, 1956 R. E. KLAUSS ET AL 2,742,963

PHOTOGRAPI-IIC PRINT CHOPPER Filed April 18, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 RALPH E. KLAUSS CLlF FORD J. 0 KANE INVENTOR.

BY M

ATTORNEYS April 24, 1956 R. E. KLAUSS ET AL 2,

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT CHOPPER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 18, 1951 FllIl.2 4 254 FlIIl.5 17

9 10o RALPH E.KLAU ss 96 91 99 CLIFFORD J. o KANE 4 ac 11. INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS April v24, 1956 R. E. KLAUSS ETAL 2,742,963

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT CHOPPER Filed April 18, 195] 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Flt 4 21 151 145 x yr N P RALPH E. KLAU 55 CLIFFOR D J. OKANE INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYS April 24, 1956 R. E. KLAUSS ET AL 2,742,963

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT CHOPPER Filed April 18, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 RALPH E. KLAU S5 CLIFFORD J. UKANE INVENTOR Aim?! 04 m, BYW/ ATTORNE 5 United States Patent a 2,742,963 ICC atented Apr. 24,1956

This invention relates .to apparatus forchopping a cor itinuous 'web of material into sheets of agiven length auto matically in response to, and in accordance with, signal marks spaced longitudinally of the web; 7

.It is common practice in .the photographic art to make aplnrality of photographic prints in succession on a con tintious web oftlight-sensitive paper and roll them up for later processing .in strip form; Afteriprocess'ing these prints are then run through a chopping apparatus which intermittently advanced to a rci reest chopping .dyice by a feeding means which insures the intermittent feedingmeans acting against a constant load at all times the result that the length or the cut sheets corresponds accurately with the signal i'nark 's'p'acin'g on the web; 7 v

' Anotherobje'ct is to provide -an apparatusforchopping a sniper -ph-oto r aphie prints hpinto individual prints chops the web into individual prints. Iri' order to render this chopping action fast and automatic, signal marks have been placed on the strip of prints at the time 'of print-' ing', and in particular spaced relation to .the' print areas,

' which serve to control the feedof the strip of prints to the chopper and the actuation ofthe chopper to sevei' the 'prints from the strip. It has even been suggested that these signal marks beelectrically conducting marks which serve to bridge a pair of spaced contacts in ail electric control circuit to stop the paper feed and operate the chopper at a given time; Usually reciprocal chopping apparatus is used for this purpose-and the feed of the strip of prints to the knife is intermittent and direct from the supply roll. r

We have found that known print chopping apparatus of, this type have been unsatisfactory for'several reasons; First, since the prints were intermittently fed to the chopping station directly, from a supply roll, the load on the paper was continually changing, primarily-due 'to' change in the size of the supply roll, With the result that the feed of vpaper to the chopper varied from time to time. This results in there being a variation in the length'hf successive prints which means that the margins onth same prints and on successive prints will vary in, width. This not only spoils the appearance of the individual prints, buta variation in length from print to print is very tindesirable where the prints are to be ultimately bound in stacked relation in an album for return to the customer as is common practice in the photofinishing business today; Furthermore, a variation in lengthof paper feed from printto print can be cumulative so that-eventually a print may be chopped through its picture area. This variation in length of paper feed is particularly annoying" when prints of different size are intermixed 'on a single strip of paper'a'nd, hence, require different lengths of feed in the chopper. In addition, this problem of uniform or accurate feed of the paper to theTchopper is greatly aggravated when an attempt is made to operate thechopper at high speed,- for thenany, fluctuation in load against which the intermittent paper feed must work becomes quite critical. ,t

Therefore, the primary object of the present invention i s't o provide an apparatus for severing a continuous web into sheets of a given length in response to signal marks seabed along the length or the was wherein the web is against movement when the'inte'rmittent feed is not ;0

in accordance with lectrical condtictin-g marks ,sp

along the strip of prints vvhich cert-lenses constantly 'feed ing the strip of prints from amp ly into a loop and inter} mittently from the loop across a signal mark detector station and to the cutter. The passage of a signal mark on'the paper over the detector causes cessation of the intermittent feeding means and operatic'in of the cutter to chop a print from the strip while the same is stationary. e

A further obje t is to provide a print 'chop'p' ap paratus er the type set forth in which the interm tent feed comprises a constantly-driven mbbereevered roller across which the strip is fed and onto which the strip is periodically pressed by "a 'rjdller in order to advance the same. The drive is effected sand-broken by periodically pressing the strip in contact With-this rubber-covered drive roller and releasing the pressure, respectively, in response to a conducting mark on the paper closing an open switch in a control circuit of the device, K v

another object is t'oprovide' a print-chopping as paratus "or the type described 'wheren1 the nit-eminen feeding means will not advance'fthest-rip unless the free loop in front therebf is large enough; and as a result I which there is a constant load on the intermittent feedingmeans e'achtime itisopeiated. a

Still another object is t6 provide a shopping apparatus of the't-ype described wherein the means for constantly feeding the strip to the 'loop is stopped in the event the loop gets too large or disappears, and which conditions" might be caused by the strip being jam'rneribe'tween the intermittentfeed and the chopper or By the supply (it strip becomingqexhausted or the strip becoming broken.

further ObjeCtDf theinvention i's'to prov e a ch 6p t of the-type described wherein the intermittent feeding means is paralyzed when said loop becomes'too s'niall'aiiti istmaintained in such zconditi'on until the loop reaches given minimum size; The minimum size of loop neces sary to the 'op'erationof the device is determined 'by the length of strip which .is to be advanced for the successive chopping'oper'ation;

Still another object of this invention is toprov'idea brake for the strip between the loop and intermittent feeding means which :is adapted to 'frictionallv lioldthe pe ati'ng and to assist buildup of the loop, and which brake is intermittently applied andre'leased at the same the intermittent feed ped and started, respect ely The nbvetteatnies' that we consider characteristic of our inventibn ar set f with particularity iii the appended claims. The invention itself, however; both to its organization methi'ids of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the foliewihg description when read in 'connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is atop plan view, with certain parts of the en'- cliising casings broken away, of acho'pping'apparatus consti'licted according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a l ongitudinal sectional view "of the chopping apparatus shownin Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, but on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 4, and showing the feeler arm engaging a loop of normal size,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 4 and showing the feeler arm in the position it assumes when the loop becomes too small. (fullline position) and the position it assumes when the loop becomes too large (dotted-line position).

Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing what a strip of prints might look like which this chopping apparatus is to handle, and indicating how theconducting marks thereon connect two spaced contacts in the control circuit of the cutter as the strip passes the detector station in order to stop the intermittent feed and actuate the chopper, and Fig. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of the power and control circuit of this chopping apparatus.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing another modification of the intermittent web feeding means and web braking means wherein two solenoids instead of one are used.

Like reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Briefly, this chopping apparatus is primarily intended for automatically chopping photographic prints from a roll of processed photographic paper on which prints have been made on a photographic printer. During the printing operation, a marking device associated with the printer puts an accurately located electrical conducting mark on the back of each print as it is printed on the printer. After the roll of prints is processed, the strip of prints is run through this chopping device which chops the roll into individual prints in accordance with, and in response to, the conducting marks placed on the strip of prints.

The roll of processed prints is placed on a supply spindle of the cutter and the strip is fed from there through a pair of constantly-driven metering rolls into a free loop, then through an intermittent feeding and braking mechanism which periodically feeds it from the free loop over a pick-up or detector station and then between the knives of the cutter. The passage of a conducting mark on the strip over the pick-up or detector completes a control circuit which stops the intermittent feed and applies the brake to the strip in front of the loop and actuates the knives to chop off a print. Just as soon as the cutter completes its cutting stroke, the control circuit is reset to again start the intermittent feed of the strip. When the next conducting mark on the strip of prints passes the pick-up or detector station, the intermittent feed is again stopped and the knives actuated again to cut the next print, etc.

One of the most important features of this chopping apparatus which distinguishes it from, and overcomes a decided disadvantage of, similar known devices is the fact that the intermittent feed of the strip to the cutter pulls the strip from a free loop rather than directly from the supply roll. This results in the intermittent feeding mech anism working against a load which is substantially constant from print to print throughout the entire length of the strip to be chopped into sheets, rather than against a load which varies from time to time due to a changing diameter of supply roll, difference of frictional drag, etc. as in known chopping apparatus. This results in obtaining a plurality of prints which are accurately cut to a given length and each print having uniform margins so that they can be bound in albums for return to the customer and still present a neat and uniform appearance.

Our present chopping apparatus also includes means for paralyzing the intermittent feeding means when the free loop becomes so small as to contain a length of strip which is less than that required for a given feeding operation and until the loop returns to sufiicient size. It also includes means for stopping the continuous feed when the loop gets too large as might be the case if the strip jams in front of the intermittent feed at the chopper, or becomes completely lost, as would be the case if the supply of strip runs out or the strip breaks between the continuous and intermittent feeds. Means are also provided for selectively shutting off the power drive for the strip of prints so that they can be manually fed to the chopper if so desired.

Before describing this print-chopping apparatus and its function, it may be well to describe what a strip of photographic prints that it is to handle might look like. In Fig. 7 a portion of a strip of processed photographic prints is shown having signal or conducting marks spaced therealong to control the chopping operation. This strip of prints comprises a web of paper W, bearing printed areas P spaced therealong and separated by clear areas A. Usually the width of the web W equals one dimension, usually the shorter, of a print, whereas the long dimension of the print extends longitudinally of the web. When the prints are chopped from the web, the cut is made through the clear areas A so as to leave a given, and uniform, white margin on one, or both, ends of each print. When the prints are made on the photographic printer, a signal of some form,.preferably an electrical conducting mark M is made on the back of each print. This mark is accurately located with respect to the leading edge of its respective print in order to control the point at which the clear areas A are chopped so as to leave a given margin on the print. For instance, if the clear areas A are to be cut on the dotted line shown in Fig. 7 the distance between this line and the mark M on the following print is accurately controlled so as to be equal from print to print along the strip. This conducting mark on the back of the prints may be made with a pen using a special carbon ink, or may be made with a pencil having a special graphite lead. The pencil is preferred since there is less tendency for the mark to be smudged, there is no danger of spilling ink about the printer, and the pencil mark withstands the film pro' cessing baths very well. For that matter, so far as the present invention is concerned, the conducting marks M can be replaced by any form of suitable signal mark which can be applied to the strip of prints and serve to actuate a control circuit in the manner set forth, e. g., perforations, dark marks controlling photo cells, etc. As shown, these marks are preferably put on the roll at certain points so as to bridge and electrically connect two space pick-up or detector contacts C, C, shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7, which form a part of the chopper control and constitute a normally open switch in the control circuit of the chopping apparatus, as will be fully described hereinafter.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, the chopping apparatus comprises a housing 10 consisting of a bottom 11, having rubber feet 12 for supporting the apparatus on a table top, and front and rear walls 13 and 14, respectively. As clearly indicated in Fig. 3, the rear wall 14 is slightly higher than the front wall 13 so that a top plate 15 joining the two, and forming a supporting surface for the web to be chopped, is inclined downwardly toward the front of the apparatus. Having the top plate 15 of the apparatus tipped forwardly facilitates operating the device from a sitting position in that the web and its path can be readily viewed.

A supply roll of processed prints, not shown, is slipped onto a supply spindle 16 rotatably mounted at the lefthand end of the apparatus, looking at the same from the front, said spindle being inclined the same as the top plate of the apparatus so that the roll of prints is held against a flange 17 by gravity, see Fig. 3. To accommodate strips of prints of different width, the flange 17 61 can slip on its pulleys and 62 and the motor will not stall nor will sufiicient pull be applied to the web W to tear the same.

The web W is fed along the top plate 15 by the indexing roller 32 to a chopping mechanism, indicated generallyat 70, where the individual prints are chopped from the web. While this chopping mechanism may be of any known type, we have shown one comprising a stationary die block 71, the top of which is flush with the top of plate 15 and across which the web W is fed by the intermittent feeding means, see Figs. 1 and 2. Reciprocally mounted relative to this die block is a die carrier 72 connected to a U-shaped yoke 73 by a pair of bolts, only one of which is shown at 74. The die carrier 72 and yoke 73 are normally moved to a raised position by a plurality of springs 75, and in which position the die or knife carried by die carrier 72 is spaced from the die block so that the web W may be fed between the two. The die carrier is moved down against the die block to cut the web by oscillation of roller cams '76 disposed between the underside of the stationary die block and the top edge of the cross-arm of yoke 73, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. This roller cam comprises a circular bar 77 having a diametrical slot 73 at each end in which three balls 79 are rotatably disposed. This bar also has a fiat portion 80 at each end and adjacent the slot 78 which allows the springs to drive the die block to a raised position. This position is shown in Fig. 2. When the roller cam is rocked clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 2 to a position wherein the balls 79 are vertically disposed, the yoke 73 is forced down against the action of springs 75 to bring the die carrier 72 down against the die block to cut the Web.

Oscillation of the cams is intermittently and selectively accomplished by winging actuating lever 81 back and forth through oscillation of bar 82 to one end of which lever 81 is connected by a sliding pivotal connection. The other end of lever 81 is eccentrically pivoted at 82 to the driven member 83 of a one-revolution clutch, indicated generally at 84, so that, as the clutch operates, the chopping mechanism is actuated and allowed to return to its normal inoperative position in which the die carrier is raised from the die block to permit a new length of web to be fed between the two by the intermittent mechanism. While any form of suitable one-revolution clutch can be utilized, we have shown one of a wellknown type in which the driving member is a ratchet 85 fixed to the power shaft 53 to be continuously driven, and the driven member of the clutch comprises two similar plates 83 spaced from one another with the ratchet between them and each rotatably mounted relative to shaft 53. The driven plates 83 are positively connected to the ratchet when a semi-circular pawl 86, pivoted at one end to a stud 87 extending between plates 83 outside the periphery of the ratchet, swings inwardly and a tooth 88 thereon engages the ratchet. When the ratchet and pawl are in engagement, the driven plates 83 are positively connected to the driving racket. The pawl 86 is normally spring-pressed into engagement with the ratchet by a spring 89, and is held out of engagement with the ratchet when a release latch 99, pivoted at 91, engages a nose 92 on the pawl and positively holds the driven part of the clutch against movement. When release latch 90 is swung counterclockwise, looking at Fig. 3, and out of engagement with the nose 92 on the pawl, the pawl swings into operative engagement with the ratchet and the clutch starts to drive. A tension spring 93, connected between the pivot pin 82 and the frame of the apparatus, assists in starting the driven member the instant the pawl is released. Once the clutch starts to drive, the nose 92 of the pawl almost immediately passes out of the path of release latch 90 so that the latch can be allowed to return to its normal position wherein it will be in position to again engage the pawl after the clutch has made one revolution and thereby stop the clutch by disengaging the pawl from the ratchet. A clutch of this general type is fully disclosed in U. S. Patent 1,987,742 to which reference can be had for a further description of the mechanical details thereof, but since the details of the clutch are not critical to the present invention, it is believed the general. discussion thereof made above is sufficient to an understanding of this invention.

The release latch 90 constitutes one arm of a triple branch lever, a second arm 95 of which extends forwardly through an opening 96 in the front wall 13 of the housing 10 and terminates in a presser bar 97 which may be manually depressed to pivot the latch 90 to a clutch-actuating position, see Fig. 3, if it is desired to manually control the cutting mechanism as will be hereinafter described. In order to prevent the clutch from making more than one revolution should the operator accidentally hold the presser bar 97 down, a second release latch 94 is provided beside, and below, the main release latch which will be moved into the path of the nose 92 on the pawl when the release latch 90 is moved to a clutch-operating position. A tension spring 98 connected between the arm 95 and the underside of the top plate 15 normally moves the latch 96 to an operative position.

For automatic operation of the chopper, the third branch 99 of the triple branch lever is suitably connected with the plunger 100 of a solenoid or electro-maguet 101 which, when energized, pivots the latch 90 to a clutchoperating position. Thus, when the solenoid 101 is energized, the clutch 84 is engaged and drives the chopping mechanism to sever the length of web which has been fed through the chopping mechanism.

in moving between the indexing roller 32 and the chopping station, the web W passes over a detector or pick-up station comprising a pair of separated electrical contacts C and C located in the surface of the top plate 15 in a position to be bridged and electrically connected by the conducting marks M spaced along the back of the web, see Fig. 1. These contacts may be mounted on a block 102 detachably connected to the top plate 15 and are connectable into a control circuit by lead wires 103 and 104. These contacts constitute an open switch in the control circuit of the apparatus and which switch is closed to complete the control circuit when a mark M on the web bridges the contacts during passage thereover. Closing of the control circuit causes a cessation of the intermittent feed and an operation of the chopping mechanism in the manner to be described hereinafter. The distance between the detector or pick-up station and the cutting plane of the chopper is equal to the distance between any mark on a print and the leading edge of said print, or the distance ".r shown in Fig. 7, so that the marks M control the accurate chopping of successive prints from the web W. To insure the marks M making good contact with each of contacts C and C of the pickup station, a roller 105 carried on the end of a pivoted arm 106, which is normally spring-pressed dowmvardly toward the top plate 15 by a spring 167, presses the web W down onto the contacts C, C as the web passes this point.

Referring now to Fig. 8, the wiring diagram of the apparatus will be described. The power circuit, including leads 120 and 121, are taken off from a main source of v. 60 cycle A. C. behind a single throw, double pole starting switch S. The driving motor 59 is connected directly into the circuit through branch leads 122 and 123 so that when the starting switch is closed the motor starts to drive the metering roller 19 and the indexing roller 32 through the drives therefor above described. The solenoid 101 for engaging clutch 34 which actuates the chopping mechanism is connected in a branch A. C. circuit 124 including a normally open switch 125. The solenoid 44 for stopping the intermittent feed and applying the brake to the web is preferably a D. C. solenoid and is connected into a branch circuit 126 including a selenium rectifier. 119 which converts the; current. fedi'to. this circuit into D.. C. This branch circuit; includesa normally open switch 127 sothat the. intermittent feed; is normally operating. The switches 125 and .1'2-7 are: both mechanically connected. to the plunger. 128 of a solenoid whose coil 129 is connected into arcontrol'. circuit including a normally open switch 130..

This control circuit is connected-into: themain supply I through a transformer 131 and tr fullwave rectifier. tube 132 Whose output includesa. conventional 1r-SCti0l'l smoothing filter. A thyratrorn tube; 133 is connected across this control circuit; and itsgrid. is connectedto one sideof the line; through adroppingaresistancei 134%110 1115113-6 the. bias on the grid' being sufiiciently negative to:- insurenormal cut-off. The coilj135-for closing; switch 130 is: connected in the anode circuit of tube 133 While; the con: tacts' C, C ofjthe. detector. on pickup station constitute a normally open; switch in:the grid circuit of: the tube, andv connected into, the circuit by leads ltlst ancl llld as beforementioned. Now-when thecontacts C, C are not joined. by a mark M onthe-back of the;.web-,; the. tube 13.3 is not conducting and switch 130; remains open; This. means switches 127, and 125'are opcnisothat; the intermittent feed operates-to feed theweb through the cutterrwhen the same is in its. normahinoperativeposition. Now when. amark M on the: webpasses; the detector or piekaup. station or connects contacts. 0,. C. in the; control circuit, this causes; the. control gridaof the. thyratronto assume a potential which will permit the; tube to. fire: and: conduct. The; coiL 135 is; thenenergized. to closeswitelr'1130 Which in turnenergizes coil 12!) to; closeswitches: 1:25: and; 127; which stops the. paper. drive and: releasesrthe; single: revolution. clutch to drive: the. choppe'lt.

In order to reset: the controlm'rcuit: after. each chopping: operation;. a normally closed reset switch .136: is; placed. in the: plate circuit; of the. thyratron: toabe. momentarily opened: by a cam. 13.7 and thereby cut; th: the: thyratron tube. The system; is then preparedi to: receive the: next conducting mark M. and. repeat the. cycle. In order that.

themachine. operate at. its: fastest. possible speed; thisv switch should be opened ,theinstantrthe; die carrier of the.

'cutterstarts its upward. stroke and; is clear of the-:web;

path. Then: the indexing. of: the web, cam be started: during the time. the die; carrier is returning to it's: full, raised position. To accomplish; this, the: switch 136. mounted adjacent the. clutclr 842 and; is: arranged: to: be. momentarily opened. by a cam. surfiacei 1:37". fixed tothe clutch plate as: it revolves;. see Fig; 2:. 'Ehemounting; for the cam surface137: is'such that itzpemnits; adjustment; thereof on the clutch plate; so that thezswitehr IBGLWH]. be opened. just about the. time the die carrier" starts its upward stroke. While we; have: showm the thyratron control circuit reset by a mechanically-operaterhswitch, it is pointed out that the: same result; could. be: obtained electrically by'usin'g a relay. having-.a-

delay iir place of coil-135 and switch 1-3fiorby; using. ascondensen and; resistance. network wired across: the.- thyratron, the. charging time of which. would controli the conducting time of the tube.

If, for any: reason, the; loop; L .in the; web; shouldbecome so small as not to-containasnilicient amount.ofzlweb;- for. a successive feeding, operationgthen the load. onstheinter- 'rnittent feeding mechanism: would become: excessive and.

the length of webfed. thereby might. varybecause the normal overtravel oi the web due tothis feed would notbe thesame as when being fedfrom a free loop... This. will be appreciatedwhen. it. isnoted that this. webmay be. fed past the pick-up station. at a speed as, high. as. 1.0. inches per second which, means that, after a mark M passes the contacts C, C there is a. certain overt-rayel of the web before the intermittent feed is stopped and. the. brakeis applied. This overtravel is substantially con.- stant when the web is beingfed from a loop Lwhihlrcontainsa length of web sufiicient. to. supply the-maximum.

feed encountered, and the spacingbjetween, the pick-up V .150 station, or contacts Q. C! accommodate this overt-raveh Means is, therefore; provided topreyent operation of. the intermittent feed should the loop L become too small; Thisv means includes a normally openyswitch 138 6011-. nected in line 126in parallel with normally open switch. 127 and which isv closed by energization: of. a solenoid.

whose coil 139- is in branch circuit 140- including nor.--

moves said feeler arm 146 in an upward directionso. that. 3 the cross bar 147 thereof,.whichengages the undersidetofv the loop L, normally follows theloop as itincreasesrinsize. has a roller 149. on the end of its actuating arm which normally rides on the periphery of cam 142.. When. the loop L becomes too small, as shownin full lines in-Fig.., 6, the feeler arm 1.46 is pulleddown-so. that the highportion. of. cam .142 engages the actuating arm of the switch 141 to close the same. until, the loop L regains its. normal'size, due to the continned operation of. metering roller 19-, whereupon, feeler arm 146 is allowed to rise under the action. of, its: spring 148 and reopen switch 141 so. that thesolenoid 44 is. do. energized andthe intermittent feed is. set in motion.

Should the loop Lbecome too. large; whichmightindi cate a jamming of the web. in front of theichopper or. should. it disappear completely; which would happen if the supply of web-becomes exhausted or'the Web breaks in its approach to-the intermittent feed, it is desirable that the entire feedof the. apparatus; be paralyzed. To thisend, a normally closed switch- 154% isconnected in the circuit of the motor 50 to be opened by a cam 151 when the loopL becomestoo large or dis-appears, se'eFig..8. As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6,.thiscam151 isiixed on sleeve 1.431 beside, and coaxiallywith, cam 142 and. its periphery is. engaged by a roller on the. aetuatingarm of switch 150, also mounted beside-switch 141. Thus, when the loop- L is any size, other than. too large, the low portion 0t cam 151 allows switch 150: to; remain closed so that the metering roll 19' continues to feedwebto the loop, see full-line position of feeler arm in Figs. 5 and 6. However,. should the. loop: L become too. large or disappear,. the feelers arm moves-upward to-the,dotted-lineposition.shown in Fig. 6, whereuponthehigh. position of cam 151 engages the roller on the switch-actuating arm and opens switch 150 to. cut the power off fromv the motor 5t).

Should it be desired to feed the. web W by hand, the

guide bar 25 is raised to.- the vertical position shown inrotated to a position wherein the. cam. 142 closes switch.

141];. to keep thev intermittent feed inoperative, while cam- 1-51 opens switch 150. For manual operation, switch 152. is manually closed to short switch i50 and keep them'otor operating to. drive theJchOPPing mechanismupon manual operation of theclutch 84 by presserbar 97. By the same.

operation, or a separate one, the. control circuit. is. para:

lyzed. by manually opening normally closed switch 153. in

theplate circuit of the. thyratron 133. The rubber. presser foot.43j and the pressure roller39'are moved away from the web .path. for. threading. or, manual. feeding. of the web, by gripping. hand lever 154' and swinging it clockwise; whereupon. crank arm 42 is rotated to raise the eccentric and the. chopper. is; adjusted to...

The switch 141 is mounted. adjacent cam 142 and This paralyzes the intermittent feed,

41 away from the web path. When the web is fed to the chopper manually the signals M on the web are not used to control the chopper action, but the clear areas A between the prints P or the leading edge of the prints are aligned with an index mark over a translucent portion in the top plate 15 which is lighted by a lamp from below, by means not shown. As the prints are chopped from the web, they are pulled from the chopper and fed into a hopper, not shown,,by constantly-driven rubber-covered roll 155 engaged by free running rollers 155. Rolls 155 are driven through a belt and pulley combination 157 driven by motor 50 by means not shown.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an apparatus for severing a continuous web of material into sheets of given lengths in accordance with signal marks spaced along the length of said web, the combination with a normally inoperative cutter; a primary strip-feeding means for constantly feeding the web into a free loop and toward said cutter; a secondary strip-feeding means for intermittently feeding said web from said loop over a given path to said cutter and including a member movable to and from an operative position wherein it engages and feeds said web; a brake for said web immediately in front of said secondary feeding means and movable to and from an operative position wherein it is adapted to hold said web at the forward end of said loop when said secondary feeding means is not operating to advance the web; electrically actuated means for moving said member of the secondary feeding means from its operative position, said brake to its operative position and for actuating said cutter substantially simultaneously, and a power circuit for energizing said electrically actuated means and including a normally open electrical switch disposed in said path of said web and adapted to be closed when one of said signal marks on said web pass across the same, and means for returning said secoondary feeding means to its operative position and said brake to its inoperative position when the cutter completes a severing operation.

2. An apparatus for severing a continuous web of material according to claim l, and including means controlled by said loop in the web for moving said member of the secondary feeding means from its operative feeding position and for moving said brake to its operative position when said loop becomes reduced below a given size.

3. An apparatus for severing a continuous web of material according to claim 1, and including means controlled by said loop in the web for moving said member of the secondary feedin" means from its operative feeding position and for moving said brake to its operative position when said loop becomes reduced below a given size, and means also controlled by said loop for stopping said primary feeding means when said loop becomes larger than a given size or becomes nonexistent by virtue of the web breaking or becoming used up.

4. In an apparatus for severing a continuous web of material into sheets of given lengths in accordance with signal marks spaced along the length of said web, the combination with a normally inoperative cutter; a primary strip feeding means for constantly feeding the web into a free loop and toward said cutter; means for intermittently feeding said web from said loop over a given path and past said cutter, and including a continuously rotating friction roll across the top of which said web passes, a presser roll above said friction roll and web pivoted to swing between a normal operative position, wherein it presses the web into driving engagement with said friction roll, and an inoperative position, wherein it is spaced from said friction roll by a distance greater than the thickness of the web; a solenoid for moving said presser roll to, and holding it in, the inoperative posiiton when energized, a brake for said web movable between an operative position, wherein it frictionally engages the web between the loop and said intermittent feeding means and holds the web against movement toward said intermittent feeding means, and a normal inoperative position, wherein it is freed from engagement with said Web, a second solenoid for moving said brake to, and holding it in, its operative position when energized, a power circuit containing both of said solenoids and including a normally open switch; means responsive to one of said signal marks on said web passing a given point in said path for closing said switch and causing said solenoids to be energized to stop the feed of the web to the cutter and to apply the brake to the web at the forward end of said loop; means for operating said cutter when the web is stopped therebeneath, and means for reopening said power circuit after the cutter has sev ered the web.

5. In an apparatus for severing a continuous web of material into sheets of given lengths in accordance with signal marks spaced along the length of said web, the combination with a normally inoperative cutter; a primary strip-feeding means for constantly feeding the web into a free loop; means for intermittently feeding said web from said loop over a given path including a stationary surface and past said cutter, and including a continuously rotating friction roll across the top of which said web passes; a presser roll above said friction roll and web pivoted to swing between a normal operative position, wherein it presses the web into driving engagement with said friction roll, and an inoperative position, wherein it is spaced from said friction roll by a distance greater than the thickness of the web; a friction pad movable between an operative braking position, wherein it moves down on top of said web and presses it against said stationary surface ahead of said friction roll, and an inoperative position, wherein it is spaced from said web; a double ended lever pivoted intermediate its ends on an axis parallel to and extending transversely of said web, said presser roll and said friction pad mounted on opposite ends of said lever; a spring acting on one end of said lever to swing the presser roll to its operative position and the friction pad away from the web; a solenoid acting on the other end of said lever to move the friction pad into engagement with the web and to raise the presser roll when energized; a power circuit containing said solenoid and including a normally open switch; means responsive to one of said signal marks on the web passing a given point in said path for closing said switch and causing said solenoid to be energized to stop the feed of the web to the cutter and to apply the brake to the web at the forward end of the loop; means for operating said cutter when the web is stopped therebeneath, and means for reopening said power circuit after the cutter has severed the web.

6. In an apparatus for severing a continuous web of material into sheets of given lengths in accordance with signal marks spaced along the length of said web the combination with a normally inoperative cutter; means for selectively driving said cutter through a single cutting stroke, including a single revolution clutch, an electromagnet for actuating said clutch; means for continuously feeding the web into a loop and toward the cutter; a motor for driving said feeding means; means for intermittently feeding said web from the loop over a given path and past said cutter and for holding said web from moving beyond said loop when not being fed and including a rubber-covered feeding roll lying beneath the web and connected to said motor to be continuously driven thereby; a presser roller disposed above said web and movable between an operative position, wherein it presses the web into driving engagement with said feeding roll, and an in operative position, wherein it is lifted from said feeding roll; a stationary surface across which said web is fed; a rubber brake member movable between an operative position, wherein it presses said web against said stationary surface to frictionally grip the same, and an inopersolenoid and electro-magnet; a normally open switch in said power circuit; means for closing said switch including a control circuit having a normally open switch adapted-to be closed by passage of said'signal marks on the web past a given point in said given path.

7. In an apparatus for severing a continuous web of material into sheets of given lengths in accordance with signal marks spaced along the length of said web, the combination with a normally inoperative cutter; means for selectively driving said cutter through a single cutting stroke, including a single revolution clutch, an electromagnet for actuating said clutch; means for continuously feeding the web into a loop and toward the cutter; a motor for driving said feeding means; means for intermittently feeding said web from the loop over a given path and past said cutter and for holding said web from moving beyond said loop when not being fed and including a rubber-covered feeding roll lying beneath the web and connected to said motor to be continuously driven there by; a presser roller disposed above said web and movable between an operative position, wherein it presses the web 7 into driving engagement with said feeding roll, and an inoperative position, wherein it is lifted from said feeding roll; a stationary surface across which said web is fed; a rubber brake member movable between an operative position, wherein it presses said web, against said stationary surface to frictionally grip the same, and an inoperative position, wherein it is'raised from said web, said presser roller and brake member carried on opposite ends of a lever pivoted intermediate its ends so that when said lever is pivoted in one direction the presser roller 7 is moved to its inoperative position and the brake member is moved to its operative position and vice versa; means normally moving said lever to a position to release said brake member and initiate said intermittent feed, a solenoid for moving said lever to its other position; a power circuit including said solenoid and electro-magnet; a normally open switch in said power circuit; means for closing said switch including a control circuit having a normally open switch adapted to be closed by passage of said signal marks on the web past a given point in said given path, and means for resetting said power circuit by opening the normally open switch therein as soon as said cutter chops said web.

8. In an apparatus for severing a continuous web of material into sheets of given lengths in accordance with signal marks spaced along the length of said web, the combination with a normally inoperative cutter; means for selectively driving said cutter through a single cutting stroke, including a single revolution clutch, an electromagnet for actuating said clutch; means for continuously feeding the web into a loop and toward the cutter; a motor for driving said feeding means; means for intermittently feeding said web from the loop over a given path and past said cutter and for holding said web from moving beyond said loop when not being fed and including a rubber-covered feeding roll lying beneath the web and connected to said motor to be continuously driven thereby; a presser roller disposed above said web and movable between an operative position, wherein it presses the web into driving engagementwith said feeding roll, and an inoperative position, wherein it is lifted from said feeding roll; a stationary surface across which said web is fed; a rubber brake member movable between an operative position, wherein it presses said web against said stationary surface to: frictionally griplthe same, and: an inoperative position, wherein it is; raised from, saidweb, said presser roller. and. brake member carried on opposite ends of a: lever pivoted. intermediate its ends, so that when. said lever is. pivoted in one direction the presser roller is moved to its inoperative position and the brake member is moved to its operative position and vice versa; means normally-moving said lever to a position to release said brake-member and initiate said intermittent tasoleneid formoving. said lever toitso h rp a power circuit including said solenoid and electromagnet; a normally open switch in said power circuit; means for closing said switch including a control circuit having a normally open switch adapted to be closed by" passage of said signal marks on the web past a given point in said given path, and means for energizing said solenoid when said loop becomes reduced below a given size, and including a second normally open switch in said power circuit connected in parallel with said first normally open switch; and means controlled by the size of said loop for closing said second switch and maintaining it closed until said loop reaches a given minimum size.

9. In an apparatus for severing a continuous web of material into sheets of given lengths in accordance with signal marks spaced along the length of said web, the combination with a normally inoperative cutter; means for selectively driving said cutter through a single cutting stroke, including asingle revolution clutch, an electromagnet for actuating said clutch; means for continuously feeding the web into a loop and toward the cutter; a motor for driving said feeding means; means for intermittently feeding said web from the loop over a given' path and past said cutter and for holding said web from moving beyond said loop when not being fed and including a rubber-covered feeding roll lying beneath the web and connected to. said motor to be continuously driven thereby;a presser, roller disposed above said web and movable between an operative position, wherein it presses the web into driving engagement with said feeding roll, and an inoperative position, wherein it is lifted from said feeding roll; a stationary surface across which said web is fed; a rubber brake member movable between an oper- I ative position, wherein it presses said web against said stationary surface to frictionally grip the same, and an inoperative position, wherein it is raised from said web, said presser'roller and brake member carried on opposite ends of a lever pivoted intermediate its ends so that when said lever is pivoted in one direction the presser roller is moved to its inoperative position and the brake member is moved to its operative position and vice versa; means normally moving said lever to a position to release said brake member and initiate said intermittent feed, a solenoid from moving said lever to its other position; a power circuit including said solenoid and electro-magnet; a normally open switch in said power circuit; means for closing said switch including a control circuit having a normally open switch adapted to be closed by passage of said signal marks on the web past a given point in said given path, and means for energizing said solenoid when said loop becomes reduced below a given size, and including a second normally open switch in said power circuit connected in parallel with said first normally open switch; and means controlled by the size of said loop for closing said second switch and maintaining it closed until said loop reaches a given minimum size, and

means controlled by the size of said loop for stopping said constantly-driven feeding means when the loop becomes too large, and including a normally closed switch in that portion of the power circuit including said motor, and means controlled by enlargement of said loop beyond a given size for opening said normally closed switch' 10. An apparatus for severing a continuous web of material into sheets according to claim 9, in which the means for closing said second normally open switch and opening said normally closed switch includes a pair of 15 cams, and a feeler arm including a portion engaging said loop and normally spring-pressed in a direction to follow said loop and be moved in response to a change in size of said loop, said feeler arm mechanically connected to said cams to oscillate the same as the arm moves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,090,388 Foote Mar. 17, 1914 10 16 Henderson May 27, 1919 Hugo Nov. 8, 1927 Andren et al. Jan. 6, 1931 Richard May 31, 1932 Vergobbi Feb. 14, 1939 Paulsen July 29, 1941 Simpson Aug. 30, 1949 Auer Apr. 10, 1951 

